Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath

Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.

Today's Forecast

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Thu 10th Oct 24 at 8:14AM
View our detailed version Last Updated Thu 10th Oct 24 at 8:14AM

Viewing Forecast For

Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 10th October 2024
Last updated Thu 10th Oct 24 at 8:14AM

Summary for all mountain areas

Cold, on Munros below freezing. Widespread morning frost in the valleys, in Lakes and Snowdonia below freezing in the morning. Snow showers in the Highlands. Snow and rain mix toward the Borders and locally in Snowdonia. Elsewhere likely dry, often sunny, but in places windy through eastern UK.

Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath

Very cold, windy, snow showers

How windy? (On the Munros)

Northerly turning westerly, 25 to 35mph, locally 40mph possible. Strongest in eastern part of NP. Easing afternoon.

Effect of the wind on you?

Considerable buffeting, affecting balance and stability. Beware of sudden gusts. Significant wind chill.

How Wet?

Snow showers, mostly north

Snow showers (below 300-500m as rain) in Monadhliath and in the northern and central Cairngorms. More likely dry toward Drumochter and Braemar, but a few snowflakes not ruled out. Snowline rising through the day to 700m.

Cloud on the hills?

Fairly extensive in the north

Highest tops above 1200m covered at times. In central Cairngorms cloud lowering for a time to 800m.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

60%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sun appearing in the south, in the north rare. Least sun toward Monadhliath. Excellent visibility.

How Cold? (at 900m)

0 to 1C. Below freezing in the morning. Feeling below -10C in wind.

Freezing Level

500m rising to 900m.

Viewing Forecast For

Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 11th October 2024
Last updated Thu 10th Oct 24 at 8:14AM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Westerly, 40-50mph, on the tops 55mph possible.

Effect of the wind on you?

Considerable buffeting, walking difficult on high terrain, stability strongly affected and significant wind chill.

How Wet?

Some rain in the west, snow on tops

Showers, most frequent in western part of NP, but appearing in whole area. Snow above roughly 1000m.

Cloud on the hills?

Most tops in cloud

Cloud starting on 700m in the west and 900m in the east, during the day rising widely to 1000m.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

30%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Widely cloudy, glimpses of sun most likely in the east. Visibility very good.

How Cold? (at 900m)

2 to 4C. Near freezing in the morning. Feeling near -10C in wind.

Freezing Level

Around 1000m, rising to the level of highest summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 12th October 2024
Last updated Thu 10th Oct 24 at 8:14AM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Forecast uncertainty high: North to northeasterly, 10 to 25mph.

Effect of the wind on you?

Small.

How Wet?

In the morning rain and snow

Rain first half of the day, snow above 500-800m. Becoming dry.

Cloud on the hills?

Variable, tops mostly covered

Varying. Starting low, between 600 and 900m, rising, tops likely staying in cloud. High uncertainty for details.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

40%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Little or no sun. Moderate visibility reducing to poor at times.

How Cold? (at 900m)

-1 to 2C

Freezing Level

Near 900m most of the day, varying.

Planning Outlook

Warm front passing on Friday brings briefly milder temperatures, gales and rain in western Highlands, before flow changes back to northerly for the weekend. Saturday frequently wet in Scotland, snow on the tops, rain lower down. High pressure meaning cool but sunny Sunday, still sunny on Monday but southerly winds increasingly strong on western hills. Warmer next week, any snow soon melting and probably a few dry but windy days in the start of the week. Conditions possibly deteriorating midweek.